9^th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair, October 21 – 24, 2004
Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre

Press Release

The 9^th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (9^th MIF) will be held between 21^st October 2004 and 24^th October 2004 at the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre. Organised by Secretariado Permanente do Fórum para a Coorperação Económica e Comercial entre a China e os Países de Língua Portuguesa and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, the Fair is also co-organised by the Macao Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Association of Macau, Macao Importers and Exporters Association, Association of Knitting & Spinning Industry of Macau, Macau Shipper’s Association, Macau Association of Banks, Macao Association of Building Contractors and Developers, Macau Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Macau Chinese Enterprises Association, Chongqing Foreign Trade & Economic Relations Commission and Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong . In addition, Macao Convention & Exhibition Association is being appointed as the official co-ordinator for the whole event.

Following to the signing of “Economic and Trade Co-operation Action Plan” at “Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries ( Macao )” last year, one of the main activities for 9^th MIF will be “ China – Portuguese-speaking Countries Product Fair”. With the great support of the Se cretariado Permanente do Fórum para a Coorperação Económica e Comercial entre a China e os Países de Língua Portuguesa, the product fair aims to enhance the economic and trade developments between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

In addition, “Seizing Unprecedented Business Opportunities with CEPA” will be another focal point with the implementation of CEPA. Foreign investors, regional manufacturers and local businessmen will definitely be utilizing MIF as the platform to maximize the golden opportunity for the new business environment in Macao .

The 8^th MIF has accommodated 270 booths with governments, trade commissions, enterprisers from 24 countries and delegate groups from 40 countries. There was totally a number of 88,500 visitors. Both Organisers and Official Co-ordinator have been committed to promote 9^th MIF throughout the year and frequent promotions were arranged to market this annual event in various places in the world including United States , United Kingdom , Hungary , Poland , Czech, Beijing , Shanghai , Chongqing , Sichuan , Jiangzu, Guangzhou , Hong Kong etc. Countries like Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, East Timor, US, UK, Netherlands, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Chongqing, Inner Mongolia, Anhui, Jinlin, Niaoning, Heilongjiang, Guizhou, Hong Kong and Taiwan have shown their interests in participating the Fair in this coming October.

The 9^th MIF is targeted to have more than 300 exhibition booths include 235 indoor booths and 60 outdoor booths. The Fair will carry various pavilions in different themes including the Macao Trade and Industry Pavilion, co-hosted by the Industrial Association of Macau, Association of Knitting & Spinning Industry of Macau, Macao Importers and Exporters Association and Macau Shipper’s Association. This Pavilion will exhibit all the manufacturing goods and franchising products of Macao . While the Macao Association of Building Contractors and Developers, Association of Property Agents and Reality Developers of Macau, Macau Association of Banks, Association of Real Estate Sector of Macao and Macau Lawyers Association will co-organize a Pavilion exhibiting the booming property industry of Macao and showing the latest development of the enclave. Macau Photography and Printing Traders Association will bring us a new Pavilion, The World of Digital & Photography Equipment, where all the latest products of digital photographic technologies will be exhibited. Moreover, The Small and Medium Enterprises’ World will be constituted by The Macau Small and Medium Enterprises Association, where the development of small and medium enterprises in Macao will be introduced and merchandises will be exhibited. There will also be other exhibition pavilions hosted by the International Association of Chinese Traders and delegate groups from UK , Mexico and the provincial representatives of Mainland China ( Jilin , Liaoning , Heilongjiang , Chongqing , Anhui etc .)

Conferences and forums will be held during the Fair, namely the International Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention 2004 and many other seminars with interesting topics will be organised during the Exhibition. Besides, government representatives and trade commissions of countries/regions such as United States , Poland , Chongqing , Inner Mongolia , Guizhou , Hong Kong and Taiwan will also organise presentations and seminars. Activities such as briefings, product introductions and meetings will be arranged for enterprises to promote their businesses and products.

There will be a wide range of exhibits at 9^th MIF including Tourist & Travel Accessories, Information Technology, Health Products, Sports Goods, Textiles & Clothing, Toys & Games, Gifts & Premium Goods, Food Products, Hotel Equipment, Trendy and Innovative Products. Applications are now accepted. Each standard booth will cost 7,500 patacas for Macao exhibitors, and 1,300 USD for overseas exhibitors. Raw space costs 750 patacas each square metre for local exhibitors; and for each square metre costs 130 USD for overseas. Early bird booking made on or before September 15 will be entitled to a 20% discount.

Online application can be made through the official MIF website www.mif.com / IPIM official website www.ipim.gov.mo and application form can be downloaded. A special hotline is arranged for any special assistance or arrangements for both exhibitors and visitors at (853)713 913.